Predictors of HIV-Risk Sexual Behavior

Abstract

Predictors of HIV-risk sexual behavior were analyzed among a sample of ex-offenders who were completing inpatient treatment for substance dependence. Hierarchical linear regression was conducted to examine increases in participants’ number of sexual partners in relation to sociodemographic characteristics, recent substance use and current psychiatric problem severity in addition to lifetime histories of sexual and physical abuse. Gender, substance use, and psychiatric problem severity predicted increases in HIV-risk sexual behaviors beyond what was predicted by abuse histories. Proportionately more women than men reported abuse histories. In addition, significantly more unprotected sexual than safer sexual practices were observed, but differences in the frequency of these practices based on lifetime abuse histories and gender were not significant. Findings suggest recent substance use and current psychiatric problem severity are risk-factors for HIV-risk sexual behavior among ex-offenders with and without lifetime abuse histories.

Delivery Outcomes Among Pregnant Women With Comorbid Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders Receiving Comprehensive Treatment

“…In general, women with SUDs often have extensive trauma histories, from microaggressions of being female in a male-dominated society to macroaggressions of persistent physical and sexual abuse, and have identified being victims of domestic violence with histories of childhood abuse (Brady et al, 2009; Covington, 2008; Greenfield et al, 2007). Furthermore, women with SUDs have been found to have greater abuse histories than men with SUDs, and psychiatric severity was demonstrated as being a better predictor of HIV risk behavior than abuse histories among persons with SUDs (Majer et al, 2014).…”